Scotland begins search for new leader

The search for a new leader of the Scottish Parliament begins today, following the unexpected departure of First Minister Henry McLeish.

Mr McLeish's dramatic resignation, following months of accusations over his office expenses, has led the country into its second leadership crisis within 13 months, after the death of Donald Dewar.

The Labour Party in Scotland has to find a successor within 28 days.

Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace becomes a caretaker for the Edinburgh parliament today. Under Labour's electoral college system, a third of votes go to party members, a third to the trade unions and a third to members of the Scottish Parliament.

The party's Scottish executive meets in Stirling tomorrow to set an election timetable, with Education Minister Jack McConnell the favourite to succeed.

The Times said today that Mr McLeish rejected calls from Tony Blair and Gordon Brown to carry on fighting. But there is a suspicion that Downing Street put pressure on him amid concern that more expenses allegations were due to emerge, although both Westminster and those around Mr McLeish denied this categorically.